January 29, 2010

Alleged Judge Stalker Testifies Why She Was in the Attic

By Jordan Weissmann

Taylar Nuevelle, the woman accused of stalking D.C. Magistrate Judge Janet Albert, took the stand today in her own defense, tearfully recounting the suicidal breakdown that left her passed out in her former girlfriend's attic.

Nuevelle told a D.C. Superior Court jury that she had gone back to Albert's Northwest Washington home to gather her belongings following their angry breakup. But she said she was overcome by anxiety and despair because, she alleged, Albert had threatened to interfere with a child custody case between Nuevelle and her ex-husband.

"I really believed she was going to do it," Nuevelle said. "And she was a judge!"

Nuevelle said she "fell apart" while trying to pack her things, and began drinking and taking pills.

"I wanted to die, and I didn't want anyone to try to stop me," she said.

Nuevelle continues on the stand this afternoon. For the full story on her testimony, read here.